Painting Size: Does it Matter?

My summer exhibitions are already winding down. Yesterday I picked up my paintings from the Peace Liard Regional Juried Art Exhibition in Fort Nelson, BC, and today I'm picking up my painting from the Art of the Peace 10th Anniversary Show in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
I've been showing my work much more actively this year and it's sometimes a whirlwind. It's been good for me to learn to keep better records of my paintings' exhibition history, so I don't accidentally show the same painting multiple times at the same venue. And I'm realizing that in addition to factoring the costs of framing into my painting prices, I need to remember the cost of exhibiting. Entry fees and shipping add up, but they are worthwhile costs, as I grow my reputation as an artist and put my work before new eyes.

One thing that I noticed with "Blue Beckoning" (above) is that it looked very small on the walls in the Art of the Peace exhibition. It was one of the very few watercolour paintings in the show and oils and acrylics are typically larger. It made me wonder if I should be making an effort to paint on full sheets of watercolour paper, instead of quarter or half sheets? The tension there is that, while a larger painting shows well, it may not sell well. Large paintings need a lot of space to hang, and they are just more valuable as well.

I think I'll continue to paint in a variety of sizes, and focus on the quality of the work rather than the size. While they may not show as dramatically as a large oil painting, watercolour paintings are nonetheless beautiful and full of visual depth; little gems that fill a need in the art market. And I like being able to paint for those who may not be able to afford a large painting, or the avid art collector who is running out of wall space.